Tax Code.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Questions (237)

Michael Kennedy

Question:

295 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons who should still be entitled to mortgage interest relief since 2009 have been cut off from receiving same; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the Office of the Revenue Commissioners website does not allow persons who have been cut off from mortgage interest relief to query the decision made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1927/10]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

This is a matter in the first instance for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. However, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in a limited number of cases, approximately 2,500 mortgage holders, who were entitled to continued mortgage interest relief in 2010, did not receive the recent payment due for January. This arose because of an error in the information provided by the Revenue Commissioners to lenders in respect of such customers.

The position is that the Revenue Commissioners are working with each financial institution to rectify the matter without delay. There will be no loss of relief to any customer affected by the error and there is no need for any action on the part of a mortgage holder. The Revenue Commissioners will rectify the situation with the financial institution involved or exceptionally, the mortgage holder will be contacted directly.

Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 220.